The Brazilian Senate is considering lifting a ban on sugarcane production for ethanol fuel in the Amazon. The plan, supported by the country's president, has sparked protests from environmentalists and the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association, UNICA.

A draft European Parliament report calling on the European Commission to reject funding for NGOs that oppose the “strategic commercial and security objectives” of the EU is creating upheaval among civil society groups.

Romanians decided two years ago not to host Europe's largest gold mine. Now the Canadian mining company behind the project is seeking massive compensation from Bucharest, in a case that foreshadows what TTIP could bring, writes Claudia Ciobanu.